METHOD FOR ESTERIFYING METHACRYLIC ACID

摘要

What is disclosed is a method for the continuous esterification of aqueous methacrylic acid containing 5 to 60 weight percent water with an alkanol to form the corresponding alkyl methacrylate, with complete conversion of the methacrylic acid used, by feeding the aqueous methacrylic acid into a boiling esterification mixture containing sulfuric acid or an organic sulfonic acid in an amount corresponding to 50 to 500 grams SO3/liter, continuously distilling off the ester formed together with water and a portion of the alkanol, and, after layer separation of the distillate, returning a portion of the ester layer to the distillation unit.